[WATCH] President Coleiro Preca marks first anniversary of her presidency with call for Constitutional reform

President Coleiro Preca marks first anniversary of her presidency • Video by Ray Attard

President Mary Louise Coleiro Preca has called for more effort in the process of revisiting and updating the Constitution, describing the lack of progress in Constitutional reforms as "worrying" and asking how the Commission for the Administration of Justice could give redress to the citizen if it was only composed of lawyers and judges.

The comments were made as the President marked her first anniversary as Head of State with a wreath-laying ceremony at the statue of Sir Anthony Mamo in Birkirkara on Saturday.

The brief ceremony which took place at Sir. Anthony Mamo square, was also attended by Sir Anthony Mamo’s children, Prof. John Mamo, Mrs. Monica Pisani and Mrs. Josephine Tortell, who thanked Her Excellency for the “generosity and gallantness that permeates her presidency.”

In her address, President Coleiro Preca highlighted her office’s various initiatives and achievements from the past twelve months and explained that her focus “was and will remain to humbly stay amongst the people and carry on working tirelessly to cultivate national unity and avoid inasmuch as is possible, persons being left behind.”

President Coleiro Preca said that she was submitting her “yearly report card” and promised to continuously strive to improve accountability and good governance in her office.

Her proactive approach to the presidency, which has transformed the office from one of national figurehead to one championing the cause of the less-privileged, is reflected in tireless efforts to improve all aspects of society. The promotion of medical research, working with NGOs and establishing ties with local and overseas charities are but some of her many initiatives.

The Maltese Head of State attended 2441 events over the past 12 months, averaging 6.7 official events per day.  The engagments included 584 social events, 390 private meetings, 239 meetings with NGOs, 182 courtesy visits, 68 media events, 47 religious ceremonies, 25 meetings with political leaders and 14 wreath-laying ceremonies.

Coleiro Preca said that she will not be resting on her laurels, but will be focusing strengthening national identity for the latter half of 2015.